[skylan_q]

... constant challenge for any creative type is making a living.

Well perhaps if that's the case what you do is not valuable to anyone.

People have trouble coming to terms with the fact that they don't necessarily deserve to earn a living because they're doing something they like. It's like people are incapable of growing up anymore.

[karmacondon]

Something tells me that you benefit daily from the efforts of people who had difficulty earning a living from their craft at some point. Do you listen to music, watch television or movies, appreciate art, read books or web content? The creators of those things didn't all start out as highly acclaimed millionaires. Most of them spent years making things that weren't valuable to anyone.

There are an abundance of people who are capable of earning a living through a variety of work. There are very few people who are capable of consistently providing you with a few hours of diversion or entertainment. Do you really think that the world would be a better place if all of those lazy creative people got jobs at mcdonalds instead of making things that bring small moments of joy to billions of people? There would be no books for young children to read, no songs for teenagers to get excited about at their first dance, no movies for old people to be nostalgic about. It takes a lifetime of work to hone the skills necessary to create those things, and a lot of financial and personal risk that most of us aren't willing to assume. I don't know if a 'creative tax' is the right solution, but we could all be a little more understanding.

[easytiger]

And yet, despite this apparently dire situation, their output still exists.

[dredmorbius]

But who is benefiting from its existence? The creators or the current license holders?

[normloman]

That's not completely true. While it's true that some artists just feel entitled to a paycheck, there are other reasons to support paying for content. After all, good music (or good anything) takes a lifetime of practice to make. You have less time to perfect your craft if you're working a full time job doing something else. If some artists are allowed to make a living off their work, or even half a living off their work, the quality of the art improves. So not everyone needs to "grow up." Some have a valid concern.

That said, artists never made much of a living, even before the Internet.

[skylan_q]

While it's true that some artists just feel entitled to a paycheck, there are other reasons to support paying for content.

I have no problems with anyone willing to part with their money for content. I do it myself from time to time. My issue is the sense of entitlement whereby people think they should be getting money because they are performing an activity the feel should earn them money.

[puranjay]

> I do it myself from time to time

Which means that most of the time, you don't pay for content.

Which means that you basically pirate music.

Which means that you are the parasite, not the musician.

[na85]

Perhaps they listen to the radio, youtube, or a free streaming service.

Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions.

[easytiger]

Perhaps they also go to more concerts etc as well.

[puranjay]

The only person who deserves to make a sweeping statement like yours is someone who has never pirated a piece of music, never read a free article, or never watched a YouTube video.

You are not that person. No one is.

If you ask me, you are the parasite here, not the musician who wants to make a living.

[easytiger]

I'm afraid this reply makes no sense at all.